Periodic Table Tricks: Easy Ways to Remember the First 30 Elements

The easiest periodic table trick is to split the first 30 elements into six groups of five and learn one funny sentence for each group. The first letters of the words match the element symbols, in order.

Below are our own Hinglish mnemonics, the full list of the first 30 elements, and tips for symbols that don't match their English names.

The First 30 Elements

No.	Element	Symbol	No.	Element	Symbol
1	Hydrogen	H	16	Sulphur	S
2	Helium	He	17	Chlorine	Cl
3	Lithium	Li	18	Argon	Ar
4	Beryllium	Be	19	Potassium	K
5	Boron	B	20	Calcium	Ca
6	Carbon	C	21	Scandium	Sc
7	Nitrogen	N	22	Titanium	Ti
8	Oxygen	O	23	Vanadium	V
9	Fluorine	F	24	Chromium	Cr
10	Neon	Ne	25	Manganese	Mn
11	Sodium	Na	26	Iron	Fe
12	Magnesium	Mg	27	Cobalt	Co
13	Aluminium	Al	28	Nickel	Ni
14	Silicon	Si	29	Copper	Cu
15	Phosphorus	P	30	Zinc	Zn

Our Mnemonics: Six Sentences for 30 Elements

Elements 1–5 (H, He, Li, Be, B): "Hello Hero, Listen Before Bowling."

Elements 6–10 (C, N, O, F, Ne): "Cricket Nets Open For Neighbours."

Elements 11–15 (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P): "Nani Makes great Aloo Single Pakoda." (Read "Makes great" as Mg.)

Elements 16–20 (S, Cl, Ar, K, Ca): "Sunday Class? Arey, Kab Cancel?"

Elements 21–25 (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn): "Scooty Tire Very Cracked, Mummy Naraaz." (Read "Mummy Naraaz" as Mn.)

Elements 26–30 (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn): "Few Cows Nibble Cucumbers Zara naram." (Read "Zara naram" as Zn.)

Tip: say the sentence aloud, then write the symbols from memory. Do this daily for a week and the order will stick.

Symbols That Don't Match the English Name

Some symbols come from the Latin names:

Element	Symbol	Latin name
Sodium	Na	Natrium
Potassium	K	Kalium
Iron	Fe	Ferrum
Copper	Cu	Cuprum

(Beyond the first 30: silver Ag from argentum, gold Au from aurum, lead Pb from plumbum.)

Electronic Configuration of the First 20 (K, L, M, N shells)

Shells fill in the pattern 2, 8, 8, 2 for the first 20 elements.

Element	Atomic no.	K	L	M	N
H	1	1
He	2	2
Li	3	2	1
C	6	2	4
O	8	2	6
Ne	10	2	8
Na	11	2	8	1
Mg	12	2	8	2
Cl	17	2	8	7
Ar	18	2	8	8
K	19	2	8	8	1
Ca	20	2	8	8	2

Rule: count the electrons in the outermost shell to find the group trend. For example, Na has 1 outer electron, so it is very reactive and easily loses that electron.

Group-Wise Shortcuts

Group (family)	Elements in the first 30	Easy way to remember
Group 1 (alkali metals)	Li, Na, K	"Little Naughty Kids" (1 outer electron, very reactive)
Group 2 (alkaline earth metals)	Be, Mg, Ca	"Beta Milk Calcium" (2 outer electrons)
Group 17 (halogens)	F, Cl	"Fresh Clorox" — reactive non-metals, 7 outer electrons
Group 18 (noble gases)	He, Ne, Ar	"He Never Argues" (full outer shell, very unreactive)

A 7-Day Practice Plan

Day	Task
1	Learn sentences 1 and 2 (elements 1–10)
2	Learn sentences 3 and 4 (11–20); revise 1–10
3	Learn sentences 5 and 6 (21–30)
4	Write all 30 symbols in order from memory
5	Write names from symbols, then symbols from names
6	Learn the Latin-name symbols and the electronic configurations of 1–20
7	Quiz: a family member calls out a number and you name the element

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to remember the first 30 elements?
Split them into six groups of five and learn one fun sentence for each group, where the first letters match the symbols.

Why is the symbol of sodium Na?
It comes from its Latin name, natrium.

What is the electronic configuration of calcium?
2, 8, 8, 2.

Which elements among the first 30 are noble gases?
Helium (He), neon (Ne) and argon (Ar).

Do I need to learn all 30 elements for Class 9 and 10?
Learning the first 20 well is essential. Knowing 21–30 helps in Class 11 and in competitive exams.